Neutered vs Unneutered Male Cat: Pictures, Vet-Approved Differences & Identification

When you decide to bring home a new pet cat, one of the first choices is whether to get a male or female kitty. If you decide on a male, you’ll then need to decide whether you should have him neutered or not. When making this decision, it helps to know the differences between a neutered and an unneutered male cat.

In this article, we’ll cover the physical and behavioral differences between neutered and unneutered cats and how to identify one versus the other. We’ll also talk about the medical and practical reasons why you might want to get your cat neutered and which cat makes a better pet.

At a Glance

Overview of Unneutered Male Cats

Physical Characteristics

First, the most obvious physical characteristic of an unneutered male cat is the presence of testicles. Most male cats have two distinct testicles located under their tail, below their anus. Rarely, male cats may be cryptorchid, meaning one or both testicles are stuck inside their abdomen and not visible.

The testicles—no matter where they’re located—produce the sexual hormone testosterone. The presence of testosterone is responsible for the physical differences between neutered and unneutered male cats.

Unneutered males are generally bigger and more muscular than neutered ones. They have thicker necks and thicker heads and faces. Unneutered males also develop large scent glands near their tails that produce a specific "tomcat" smell, unmistakable once you're familiar with it.

The urine of an unneutered male cat has a strong, unpleasant scent. For better or worse, you'll have plenty of exposure to this odor thanks to one of the most common behavioral characteristics of unneutered males—territory marking.

Behavioral Characteristics

Unneutered male cats are territorial and constantly feel the need to mark their territory. Unfortunately, spraying, or urine marking, is their preferred method of doing so. While all cats can spray, unneutered male cats are by far the most likely to perform this unpleasant (to us) behavior.

Unneutered male cats also have a strong urge to roam for mates. Outdoors, unneutered males travel far from home in search of females. Indoors, males may be restless and vocal because they can't wander as their instincts lead them.

Unneutered males are also aggressive toward each other, especially when they cross paths outdoors. Fighting and injuries are common. Unneutered males pay less attention to grooming than other cats, giving them an overall more unkempt appearance.

Overview of Neutered Male Cats

Physical Characteristics

The differences in physical appearance between neutered and unneutered males depend somewhat on when the male cat was neutered. Cats who are neutered before reaching sexual maturity never develop hormone-related physical changes like big heads and smelly tail glands. They're slimmer and less muscular overall.

Males who are neutered when they’re older, such as stray cats adopted as adults, may retain some physical traits, although they will eventually lose most of them. Early neutered males never develop the large scent glands near the tail and don’t have the tomcat smell. Their urine also smells much less intense.

Neutered male cats don’t have visible testicles and are cleaner overall.

Behavioral Characteristics

Without testosterone driving their desire to roam and reproduce, neutered male cats are content to remain at home. A small percentage may still spray, but most will give up this behavior along with most of their territorial nature.

Neutered males are less aggressive toward other males, although fights may still occur, especially when the male is neutered later in life. Because they spend less time fighting, neutered males are less likely to experience injuries or be exposed to infectious diseases.

Once neutered, male cats can’t reproduce and usually show no interest in females. Some “experienced” males may still pursue female company even after their surgery.

Neutered males take better care of themselves, grooming more frequently and keeping their coats tidy. This, plus their decreased odor, makes neutered males much more pleasant to live with.

To Neuter or Not To Neuter?

Now that you know the differences between neutered and unneutered male cats, you might have already decided whether you want to have the procedure done on your cat. But if not, keep reading to learn some pros and cons of neutering your male cat.

Why Not To Neuter Your Cat

The number one reason why you may choose to leave your cat unneutered is that you plan to breed him. If you want to breed cats, do so responsibly to not contribute to the already extensive population of homeless cats. This means keeping your unneutered male confined and unable to travel outside the breeding facility.

Some people choose not to neuter their cats because of safety concerns about the surgical procedure or because they worry that their cat’s behavior will change for the worse. Your veterinarian is an excellent resource for determining if and when to neuter your cat.

Medical Reasons To Neuter Your Cat

Neutering your male cat reduces the risk that he will develop testicular cancer and prostate problems. Because neutered cats are less likely to roam and fight, they’re also less likely to be put at risk from this behavior. Unneutered male cats are much more likely to be injured in fights, hit by cars, attacked by larger animals, or exposed to viruses like FIV or Feline Leukemia.

Practical Reasons To Neuter Your Cat

Neutered cats are, to be honest, much more pleasant to live with than unneutered males. They are less likely to spray, and their urine is less intense if they do. Neutered cats will be content to live happily indoors without feeling the urge to roam.

When neutered, male cats tend to be much cleaner and smell better. They’re also more likely to get along with other cats, especially other males. If your neutered male escapes the house, you don't have to worry that he'll create a kitten boom in the immediate vicinity, adding to the already high number of unwanted cats in this country.

Overall, neutered male cats tend to make better pets than unneutered males.

Conclusion

While a cat's personality and temperament may not be impacted by whether or not he is neutered, his desirability as a pet and overall health and well-being certainly will be. Now that you know the differences between neutered and unneutered male cats, you should be well-prepared to decide what's best for you and your cat.

• Related Read: Can Neutered Cats Still Mate? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

Featured Image Credit: ANURAK-PONGPATIMET, Shutterstock